Desert Stickleaf Plant Care

Desert Stickleaf (Mentzelia dispersa) belongs to the Loasaceae family within the Mentzelia genus. Desert Stickleaf is native to western North America from British Columbia to California to the Dakotas. Desert Stickleaf is also known as Dispersed Mentzelia.

Desert Stickleaf displays an upright, branching growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Desert Stickleaf produces bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Desert Stickleaf every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Desert Stickleaf thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Mentzelia dispersa tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Desert Stickleaf prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Desert Stickleaf to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Desert Stickleaf every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Desert Stickleaf is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Desert Stickleaf can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 2 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Desert Stickleaf while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Desert Stickleaf is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Desert Stickleaf can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to showy stickleaf plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Desert Stickleaf is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Desert Stickleaf grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Desert Stickleaf is native to western North America from British Columbia to California to the Dakotas. In cooler regions, grow Desert Stickleaf as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.